Mailbox Joys: A Thiggy Auto Times Two

I must admit, sometimes this blog exceeds even my lofty expectations. When a blog is created about a specific subject, you never know who is going to come across it. Some days, I'm amazed at who contacts me through the blog.

In late January, I received an e-mail asking me if I wanted some signed cards. I figured somebody had some Fred Manrique autographs that they wanted to get rid of. I always welcome any White Sox player's signature. Hey, it my team and I support them. Even the Fred Manriques.

The e-mail started off this way.

"My wife found your blog while bored at work this afternoon and told me about it. I have a lot of Bobby's cards, signed, and always keep an ear out for baseball fans. Living in Tallahassee, there aren't a lot of Sox fans and even fewer fans from the late 80's and 90's."

Color me interested. It was enough for me to inquire more. Well, it turns out that the e-mail was from Scott Thigpen. For those of you wondering about the connection, Scott is Bobby's brother. My jaw dropped as soon as I learned the connection. I live a pretty boring life (at least I think so), so this was an exciting experience to me. The closest I ever came to meeting a player was in the mid 80's when the Sox would have a Sunday meet and greet for kids. I wanted to meet Harold Baines. I chickened out at the last minute.

So, corresponding with a relative of a ballplayer is a huge deal. Especially when they dangle free signed cards. I kept my "fanboy mode" in check and e-mailed Scott back and forth a few times. He's really a great guy. Maybe if I ask nicely enough, he'll share some stories about Bo Jackson and Ozzie Guillen that he hinted at. Of course, I'll have to share it with the readers of this blog.

I almost dismissed the package when it came in the mail today. I wasn't the one to get the mail. When I got to my little stack, there was an eBay package on top, some junk mail and Scott's package at the very bottom. I didn't actually notice it until I decided to sort through the junk mail. Boy, am I glad I did!

Inside the package were two autographed cards of the Savemaster, Bobby Thigpen. Yeah, I'm a dork. I still call Bobby the Savemaster. No one has stripped him of that single season record, so it still counts! This has to be one of the best things I have ever gotten through the mail. It's one thing to get autographed cards through eBay and other collectors, but it's quite another to get them through the player's relatives. I really can't describe the feeling. It seems more special.

Thank you so much Scott! I can't begin to thank you enough for the cards. They really made my day! Sometimes it seems like people have forgotten about those White Sox teams and Bobby's accomplishments. There is still a strong following in Chicago and Bobby Thigpen is still regarded as one of the best closers the game has ever seen.

One more thing. I've never been happier that someone has been bored at work in my entire life. A thank you to your wife is in order as well. So, thank you Scott's wife! Your boredom has turned into my happiness.